BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2019 Celebratin Blac Peopl’ Contributio “True leaders do not seek followers, followers are attracted to true leaders.” - Nelson Mandela Legacy is about the next generation True legacy is in people Leadership is a relay, not a sprint "As a leader, if you run hard enough, do your best and can pass the baton successfully with everything a bit better off, you can be proud.” - Barack Obama PRIME MINISTER’S MESSAGE .........................................................4 PREMIER’S MESSAGE ....................................................................5 MP’S MESSAGE ............................................................................6 MLA’S MESSAGE ..........................................................................7 MAYOR’S MESSAGE .......................................................................8 POLICE CHIEF’S MESSAGE .............................................................9 NBCC PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE .......................................................10 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE 2018 WINNERS ......................................11 NBCC EXECUTIVES ......................................................................12 DR. KARA OTUOMAGIE ................................................................13 CALENDAR OF EVENTS .................................................................16 KEENAN PASCAL .........................................................................20 BELAN SAMUEL ..........................................................................21 MERIC MOIR ..............................................................................22 SARAH ADOMAKO-ANSAH ...........................................................23 NEVILLE WRIGHT .......................................................................25 FAISA OMER ..............................................................................26 3 February 2019 Dear Friends: I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to everyone celebrating Black History Month. Black History Month gives Canadians of all backgrounds a chance to celebrate the many contributions Canadians of African and Caribbean descent have made, and continue to make, to our nation. The activities and events planned for this month offer a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the history and heritage of Black Canadians, and to honour our rich cultural diversity. I would like to commend the members of the National Black Coalition of Canada – Edmonton Chapter for promoting and strengthening multiculturalism in Canada. Your organization stands as an important reminder that our country is made stronger not in spite of our differences, but because of them. Please accept my best wishes for a most memorable celebration. Yours sincerely, The Rt. Hon. Justin P.J. Trudeau, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister of Canada 4 MESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER OF ALBERTA On behalff of the Government of Alberta, I am proud to recognize February as Black History Month. Each February, we take time to recognize the legacy of the black women and men who have left their mark on our province. Each struggle and every triumph tells a story , and these narratives continue to shape Alberta, as do the lives of all those of African, African-American and Caribbean heritage who arrive here every day. Alberta’s great strength is in its diversity. Our unique cultures and traditions make our province an exciting place to live and help us understand each other better. This is worth celebrating. I’m inspired by the achievements and contributions of our black community, and I’m grateful that we all have the chance to learn more about and honour the black experience. Black History Month allows us to reflect on the past and see the futu re more clearly—a future in which every Albertan is part of building a better tomorrow. Rachel Notley, Premier of Alberta 5 Hon. Amarjeet Sohi M.P. for Edmonton Mill Woods A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM HON. AMARJEET SOHI, P.C., MP As Member of Parliament for Edmonton Mill Woods, and on behalf of the Government of Canada, I am pleased to extend my best wishes and warmest greetings to the National Black Coalition of Canada Edmonton and all those celebrating Black History Month in Edmonton. Black History Month is a time for all Canadians to come together and acknowledge and celebrate the many achievements and contributions that Canadians of African and Caribbean heritage have made to our great country. Through your work in representing the voice of the Black community in Edmonton and through education, public awareness, collaboration, and building intercultural understanding, you have contributed to building and shaping the diversity and prosperity of Alberta. Thank you for your dedicated efforts which have continuously helped to increase intercultural connectivity and strengthened our society’s diversity through unity. On such an important occasion, I am happy to celebrate Black History Month. House of Commons 9225 28 Avenue NW www.AmarjeetSohi.com Edmonton, AB T6N1 1N1 Tel: 613-992-1013 Tel: 780-497-3524 Fax: 613-992-1026 Fax: 780-497-3511 6 On behalf of my colleagues in the Government of Alberta, it’s my pleasure to join the Edmonton chapter of the National Black Coalition of Canada in celebrating Black History Month in 2019. Since my election in 2015, it’s been an honour to regularly meet with members of the black community in Edmonton and Calgary to recognize their accomplishments, join in cultural celebrations, hear their concerns, join in their advocacy and support their work to uplift and empower their communities. And at a time when we are sadly seeing the rise of voices of hatred and intolerance and when their rhetoric is being amplified and emboldened by political leaders, it’s more important than ever that we take a proud stand in recognizing and celebrating the rich diversity of individuals and cultures that have helped and continue to help build our province and communities. That’s why, in 2017, I was proud to work with Premier Notley and Minister Miranda to have Alberta become the fourth province in Canada to officially recognize & celebrate February as Black History Month. And that’s why I’ve been proud to support our government in forming an Anti-Racism Advisory Council, providing community grants for projects that raise awareness and understanding of racism and its impact on Albertans, creating a Provincial Hate Crimes Unit and offering grants to organizations that support women from diverse communities to take on positions of leadership and run for political office. I am proud of my heritage as a black Canadian. I look forward to continuing to work with community partners like the Edmonton chapter of the National Black Coalition of Canada to recognize and celebrate the contributions of black Canadians and ensure that all have the opportunity to continue their legacy and thrive as members of communities across Alberta. Happy Black History Month 2019! David Shepherd MLA, Edmonton-Centre 7 On behalf of City Council and the people of Edmonton, I’m pleased to join you in celebrating Black History Month. Officially established in Canada in 1995, Black History Month celebrates the history, accomplishments and contributions of Black Canadians and highlights the stories of our thriving Black communities. Over the next month, there will be many opportunities to explore the theme of “Black Migrations” and discuss issues, barriers and solutions around systemic discrimination that limits the rights of individuals. Together, these events will help promote diversity and inclusion in our city and encourage mutual respect among all our citizens. My thanks to the National Black Coalition of Canada’s Edmonton chapter and all those recognizing Black History Month. You are helping to create a more vibrant, welcoming city for us all. Best wishes for a meaningful Black History Month! Yours truly, Don Iveson Mayort 8 Message from the Edmonton Police Service Chief Kevin Brezinski On behalf of the Edmonton Police Service (EPS), it is my pleasure to extend warm greetings to everyone attending Black History Month 2019 celebrations. The EPS has a great appreciation for the many contributions our Black community makes to our city. From helping newly-arrived immigrants adjust to Canadian life, to hosting social events for friends and neighbours, Black community groups play key roles in ensuring Edmonton remains a great place to raise a family and a terric place to do business. Multiculturalism is one of the cornerstones of the truly vibrant community we have in Edmonton. The EPS is committed to ensuring our membership reects the cultures of this great city and I encourage people of all ethnicities to consider a career in policing. Visit our website, drop us a line, we’d be happy to hear from you. Warmest personal regards, Kevin Brezinski Chief of Police 9 President’s Message Welcome to Black History Month, 2019 Community Leadership: How do you ensure an eective succession plan? Are we as a community ready to “pass the baton” unto the next generation? 2019 Black History Month (BHM) theme developed from my feeling/observation that almost every week I heard another community elder had passed away. The question became important to many of us - are we, as a community training and mentoring the younger generation to take over from us? Will our children and grandchildren remember our values and lessons as they move into their lives? What kind of community will they create for themselves and others? Most important, what are we doing to ensure that the next generation have the tools and opportunities